Current Inspiration

In your eyes

Today is Monday, which means it’s time for the Inspirational song of the week.

In your eyes by Peter Gabriel

(click the link above to watch the video on YouTube)

This was the song my darling husband and I danced to at our wedding, 10 years ago.

Today he is on an airplane, flying to Israel to start the project that will be keeping him busy for the next 3 1/2 months.  He’s planning on coming home to visit once a month, and I’m planning on taking our son over there to visit around Easter time.  And fortunately, his cell phone works over there so we’ll be able to talk regularly.

I must admit, I’m not feeling very inspirational today.

Although this is a normal occurrence in our lives, I honestly hate this part.  I miss him already and really just want to go lay on the couch and cry.

This past week we spent basking in the glow of each other.  We went skiing, played games, watched movies, talked and enjoyed each others company .  We tried to pack in as much love as we could into the time we knew we had left.  It’s been wonderful focusing on each other, being happily married and loving it.

Now it comes down to faith.

He needs to focus on taking care of his work and I need to focus on taking care of our son and our home.

So instead of laying on the couch crying and wallowing in self-pity, today,  I’m going to take care of myself.  I’ll take a walk, finish folding laundry and go though my “things I’m working on” list.

The missing him part will get easier with time.  It always does.

I’m a very lucky woman to have such a blessed life.

Even though he isn’t here physically, I know his heart is always with me.  Just like mine is with him.

It’s a comfort to know you are reading this, my dear blog reader. I feel better already, having shared this with you!

Thank you!

I’ll be back Wednesday with the Inspirational word of the day.

xoxo Pam

Share on Facebook

Special Birthday edition

Today is Wednesday, February 3 which means it’s my Birthday!!!

Last night, before bed, my darling husband and I watch Ground Hog Day with Bill Murray and Andie McDowell. If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll remember that Bill Murray’s character ends up spending what seems like years and years reliving Ground Hog Day in Punxsatawney PA.

At the end of the movie, he finally realizes “What really matters, is that I’m happy now“.  The next morning he wakes up to realize that it’s no longer Ground Hog Day. He’s finally made it to February 3rd.  My birthday!  Sweet!

This morning I woke up with “I believe in miracles, where you from, you sexy thing” by Hot Chocolate. playing in my head!  What a great way to start the day!!

My day was AWESOME!  I had dark chocolate and coffe for breakfast, lunch with my girlfriend Debbie, tea with my girlfriend Susan, dinner at Red Lobster with Blake and Garrett and my FaceBook page was inundated with Happy Birthdays!

I couldn’t have had a better day if I tried!!

What really matters, is that I’m happy now!

I’ll be back on Monday with the Inspirational song of the week.

xoxo Pam

Share on Facebook

I did it

Today is Monday, which means it’s time for the Inspirational song of the week!

I did it by the Dave Matthews Band

(click the link above to go to YouTube to watch the video)

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did!   It was an absolute treat!  Very PINK!

*Speaking of PINK!  A special thanks to Molly, Dagmar, Brenda, Liz, Dara and Susan for a Fantastic promo meeting this morning!  You made my day;)  xoxoxooxox

Time for a walk………….

I’ll be back Wednesday for the word of the day.

xoxo Pam

Share on Facebook

One thing can change everything

Think about it.

the cotton gin, the printing press, gunpowder, cars, cell-phones, laptop computers, your attitude

All of these things have the capacity to completely change their environment, if not the future of the planet!

ONE THING CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING!!!!

Have a FANTASTIC weekend!

xoxoxo Pam

Share on Facebook

Draw

Today is Wednesday, which means it’s time for the Inspirational word of the day.

Draw: (verb) 1. to pull toward  2. to create in lines 3. to use from a source (noun) 1. something that attracts an audience.  2. a contest that ends in a tie.

(I think this words is twice as powerful because it is a noun and a verb)

I noticed this word all over the place this past week.

I noticed it in Chris Guillebeau’s post called before and after when he talks about the lack of clean drinking water for the people in Liberia.  The picture of this watering hole where they DRAW their water is filthy and disgusting.NASTY!!  It’s still not unusual to see people forced to drink from puddles like this. It’s shocking to think that in this day and age, Mothers still watch their children die from waterborne illness every single day.  Fortunately, there is hope.

Chris is getting ready to launch his AONC Charity project soon, which will DRAW many people together in order to help people all over the planet.  If this sounds like something you would be interested in becoming a part of, go check it out at chrisguillebeau.com.

Ken over at Mildly Creative posts every single day (yeah, wow!!) and has just started doing a new Sunday series called    5 cool things.  (click the link to go read it)  The first one introduced the birth of The Ruby Books, drawn by Verne Lindner and written by Jeanne Demers.  

The Ruby Books are for tween and teen girls who want to use what they love to do to make a positive difference in the world.  Jeanne is the creative force behind the character and the blog.  Check her out at RealizeWhatMatters.org.        Roz Zander is a family therapist and executive coach.   In a free on-line magazine called fear.less ( dedicated to conquering fear in our everyday lives.  Click the link to check it out. ) she wrote an article called Reframe Reality, in which she says “There is an intuitive self within all of us that draws real wisdom from the unconscious. The part of the brain that tries to “figure things out” is often not the part to use when you’re re-sculpting your perspective to alleviate your anxiety. Sometimes it’s better to ask your deep wisdom for advice and let it tell you what to do. Sometimes the solution is to step back and say “OK, what’s up with that story in my head?” You may want to create a more positive narrative than the one that has been giving you so much trouble, the one that has been telling you that, when things go wrong, it’s all about you. How about creating a story where you, thankfully, are not the center of the universe? You’re likely to feel very relieved. ”  (I certainly do indeed!)

I also had the chance to chat this week with a very dear girlfriend of mine through IM.  Although we didn’t get to chat for very long, I definitely felt drawn to her, and I believe she felt the same way about me.  ;) xoxo

Last but not least, as I was cleaning out a closet this week, I came across this book by Betty Edwards The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. I remember reading this while I was living in Mexico, during the time of my craptitude.  It helped me to focus on something outside of myself, to try to learn something new and to develop a fresh perspective.  Check it out if you are so inclined.

So, what about you?  What are you drawn to this week?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Thanks for reading, my friendly blog readers.

xoxo Pam

Share on Facebook

Somewhere over the Rainbow

Today is Monday, which means it’s time for the Inspirational song of the week.

Somewhere over the Rainbow by Melody Gardot

(click the link above to listen on YouTube.)

I first saw Melody Gardot when I was watching CBS Sunday Morning yesterday.  (click the link to read the article and watch some video of her amazing story.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

xoxo

Pam

Share on Facebook

How much fun can we have?

“First as a child, it seems like the entire world is ther for you and you rush to drink form its every cup, sometimes wondering to yourself how anything could ever be more fun.

Then, as you grow older, if you’re observant, you realize much of what you enjoy was made possible by the contributions, work and labor of those who came before you, and you’re taken aback, disappointed even, because with maturity you can now see cracks in the facades, imperfections in the details, and 10,000 ways it could have all been done better.

At which point, folks typically choose one of two paths: Spend a lifetime lamenting how far from perfect things are.  Or, to one degree or another, roll up their sleeves, and pitch in.

And should they choose the latter with GUSTO, they will come to know, to the core of their sacred being, that the differences they might make in the world cannot be made by another.  And then they will discover the answer to their often-wondered childhood question….That the most fun one can have  in time and space comes from making such a difference, and that the joy derived from serving is 10,000 times that of being served.”

At your service,

The Universe

*I’ve been getting notes like this  from the Universe for years and would love to recommend them to everyone.  Go check out Mike Dooley and his team at www.tut.com.

You may remember the project I made with their 2009 Calender .  I wrote about it here.I’m trying something new   dont-be-afraid Click this link to hear me reading this in a podcast.

Have a great weekend!  I’ll be back on Monday with the Inspirational song of the week.

xoxo Pam

Share on Facebook

Address

Today is Wednesday, which means it’s time for the Inspirational word of the day.

Address (noun): 1) a place 2) a direction 3) skilled and expeditious management.  (verb) 1) To direct to the attention. 2) to aim 3) to deal with.

(click here to read the full definition on dictionary.com)

I think this word is Twice as powerful because it is both a verb and a noun!

Yesterday was the Main Street Evaluation for our local DDA. (the DDA is the organization I work with to put on events in my hometown.  I serve on the board as well as chair the Promotions committee. )  This evaluation is an opportunity to address the effectiveness of our board, Executive Director and volunteers, by looking at the work plans, volunteer hours log and overall improvements in town because of these efforts.

The final report won’t be written up until later, but we were given very high marks.

Especially when you consider not only how small our town is, but where it is.

Located in SouthEast Michigan, Ortonville has been going through tough times for quite a while.  The people in this area have lost a tremendous number of jobs.  Some have even lost their homes.  It’s been difficult to watch the real estate signs pop up like dandelions whenever GM announces more lay-offs.  Ugh.

So this is where the DDA and it’s volunteers come in.  It is our job to address the situation, focus on the possibilities available and support and encourage our citizens to come together.

We become the stimulus we need when we speak well and often of the people, opportunities and events within our community.

It is only through addressing our problems that we can rectify the situation.

I can’t allow myself to be overwhelmed by the problems, drama and details.  That would be a waste of my energy.

I choose to focus on the solutions and vision of what my community needs; a place to find some common ground and the opportunity to smile at one another.  By taking one step at a time, with the right attitude, we will create the change we need to see in order to make a vibrant Village of Ortonville.

What do you think?  Have I addressed the situation?  What are you addressing?

Today I wish you peace, resilience and alacrity.

xoxo

Pam

Share on Facebook

Everyday

Today is Monday, which means it’s time for the Inspirational song of the week.

Everyday by the Dave Matthews band

(Click the link above to listen to the song on YouTube).

“Left to right, up and down love,

I push up love, love everyday

Pay no mind to taunts or advances

I take my chances on everyday”

I wish you all peace, grace and luck

Enjoy the song and I’ll be back Wednesday with the word of the day.

xoxo Pam

p.s. I just loved reading this post from Ken over at Mildly creative.  It’s about making commitments.  I’ll bet you’ll like it.

Share on Facebook

Enthusiasm

Today is Wednesday, which means it’s time for the Inspirational word of the day.

Enthusiasm (noun) : lively interest

click here for the link to the dictionary.com definition.

Dale Carnegie recognized enthusiasm as the key to success, happiness and personal growth.

He wrote “Today is life, make the most of today.  Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you.” In his booklet  ”The Little Recognized  Secret of Success”, Franklin C. Ashby, vice president of instruction for Dale Carnegie writes, “Enthusiasm for life initiates within us the power to change our lives.  Focus on the present to nourish that power.  Enthusiasm for life facilitates our ability to release regrets about the past and worries concerning the future.  We can’t change the past.  We can influence future outcomes with a positive, enthusiastic approach to the opportunities of the present.”

That’s really powerful stuff. Just simple solid advice that stands the tests of time.  I wonder why Dale Carnegie isn’t taught in school?  I guess that’s something to think about and look into.

Gretchen Rubin has become convinced of the importance of enthusiasm to happiness while researching happiness through her blog and her new book The Happiness Project.  Feel free to click the link and pick one up.  (In the interest of full disclosure, if you buy thru this link I get a little something.  Just sayin’ )

She wrote “Enthusiasm is energetic, positive, generous and social.  It’s outward-turning and engaged.  It’s kind of goofy………Enthusiasm is a form of social courage;  it’s safer to criticize and scoff than to praise and embrace.

Although she admits she is not generally a very enthusiastic person, since doing this project she now realizes that “I draw energy and cheer from the joyous ones, from the enthusiastic ones and I need to encourage and join them, not drag them down.”

It’s my wish for you, my dear blog reader, that you can dig out your enthusiasm from underneath the challenges of your day.  Praise and embrace yourself, your family and your friends.  You deserve your own inspiration.

“Well being is attained by little and little, and nevertheless is no little thing itself.”  Zeno of Citium

Speaking of well-being…

Jennifer Louden has brought together some wonderful teachers and healers for her Virtual Retreat.   Like Patti Digh’s session Step into Magic: Reclaiming the extraordinary in each gracefully simple, amazingly mundane, and fantastically ordinary day. As well as Gail Goodwin’s session called Embracing Crazy; learn how to tap into the special energies of an outrageous idea. I love this stuff!! Although I have never attended a retreat before, I am extremely curious and love the idea of not even having to leave the house!  This retreat would be fantastic opportunity to check in with my heart and recharge my batteries.  The sessions start February 12, 13 and 14, which would be right after my dear hubby has to leave for Israel for 3 months.  I’m seriously considering doing this and just thought you, my friendly blog reader, might be interested as well.  Go check it out at  http://comfortretreats.com.

*We had Art class here at my house last night and I’d like to say Thank You Ladies to Denise, Debbie, Annette and Dana!  I had such incredible  fun sitting around my kitchen table, playing with Sculpey clay and drinking wine with you ladies!  You all ROCK my world!!  xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

I’ll leave you with a quote by Charles Kingsley “We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life when all we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about“.

What do you think?  What are you feeling enthusiastic about?

Thanks for reading.

xoxo Pam

Share on Facebook